Number of Seismic Crews Searching for Oil Down

Number of Seismic Crews Searching for Oil Down

Article excerpt

A 20-month low in the number of seismic land crews and marine
vessels searching for oil and natural gas in the U.S. and U.S.
waters was reported for November by the Society of Exploration
Geophysicists.

Land crews decreased to 127, down 10.6 percent from 142 reported
for October, while marine crews decreased to 28, down 6.7 percent
from 30 reported in October.

The total is the lowest since March 1987 when the total number
of crews operating on land and offshore fell to 150.

The November total represents a 22 percent decrease from
November 1987, a 2 percent decrease from November 1986, a 55 percent
decrease from November 1985, a 69 percent decrease from November
1983 and a 69 percent decrease from November 1982.

On the international scene, seismic exploration for oil and gas
decreased dramatically during the second quarter of 1988 with a
total of 555 crews and vessels active, down 15.5 percent from 657
active crews and vessels reported for the first quarter of 1988.

The number of land crews decreased to 477, down 18 percent from
the March 1988 total of 582, while marine crews faired better
showing a second quarter total of 78, up 4 percent from 75 reported
for the first quarter of 1988.

- Natural gas will be America's energy leader during the next
decade and into the 21st century, said Eugene Tracy,. chairman of
the American Gas Association.

"It's the cleanest, most environmentally compatible energy
resource, and there's plenty available at a time when there are
strong concerns for the environment," Tracy told participants at the
association's 10th annual Bankers Conference in Washington, D.C.

Consumption patterns in the U.S., Tracy said, are already
showing an increase in natural gas use.

A rise in demand from a recent low of 16.7 quadrillion British
thermal units in 1986 to about 18.6 quadrillion, or about a 11.4
percent increase, is predicted for 1988, he said.

"Thes increased requirements should continue through 1990 and
into the next century, Tracy said.

Improved market share in traditional markets and rapid growth in
non-traditional markets were reasons cited for the increased demand.

Even the oil industry is "waking up to natural gas," Tracy said.

"Until the last decade, the development of the natural gas
resource base was largely a stepchild of oil exploration . …